Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi indeed felt somewhat complicated when he came out of the Imperial Prison. Using one’s own life to pave a path for the family was not rare in this era, but like the Yang Family’s case, Chen Xi always felt a bit disappointed.

Originally, after the Grand Assembly, besides the emperor’s feast for the ministers, there was supposed to be a family banquet. Unfortunately, the Liu Royal Family was quite depleted now, coupled with the Regent Grand Princess managing affairs, many things had changed slightly.

Simply put, it was intended to be a feast for Old Ministers, and Chen Xi had to tag along. Therefore, after meeting Yuan Shu and Yang Biao in the Imperial Prison, Chen Xi restrained his emotions and drove toward the imperial palace again.

By now, Weiyang Palace was already brightly lit, with countless maids bustling in between. This time, compared to other occasions, the etiquette was much relaxed, as the focus of this occasion was the harmony between rulers and ministers.

Those little things were hardly stressed, as long as one didn’t drink and tease the emperor’s concubines, or get drunk and tease the emperor, or even pounce on the emperor; generally speaking, it was fine.

Speaking of teasing the emperor’s concubines while drunk, if the emperor is open-minded, sometimes he would just laugh it off. As for teasing the emperor, well, if the emperor himself is drunk, he might even tease back; as for pouncing on the emperor, it’s best not to do that.

However, this year there was no emperor, only the Regent Grand Princess, so naturally, there were no concubines to tease. Whether the Grand Princess can be teased truly depended on appearance, especially considering Liu Tong’s widely known desire to marry; well, Sun Ce really went up there.

In summary, this segment was just about fun, a session of flattering the emperor. Any interesting stories or amusing anecdotes could be shared, just don’t say anything that would upset everyone, and as long as you don’t tempt fate, there won’t be any misconduct before the ruler.

”How is it, are you accustomed?” After Liu Bei and Jia Xu both asked Chen Xi, Chen Ji appeared before Chen Xi to inquire.

”It’s alright.” Chen Xi nodded. In this setting, many offered him drinks, as they were all tagging along to eat, how could they not come to get acquainted.

”For the Chen Family.” Chen Ji showed a faint smile and said, ”How does it feel to be troubled by the Yang Family?”

”It’s just annoying.” Chen Xi drank the wine, sighed, and said, ”If not for the subsequent matters, handling them would be simple. Unfortunately, knowing those matters, if I dealt with them harshly, it would not sit well with my conscience.”

”These things are all for one’s own family, you see them often, you get used to it. Even back when Ci Ming was dying, he was still strategizing for the family.” Chen Ji spoke calmly, ”These matters aren’t about right or wrong, good or evil, but about personal connections and heirs.”

”It’s difficult for you to come explain this to me.” Chen Xi nodded and said.

”Actually, Zichuan, you need to ensure if you have employed someone, then even if they make a mistake for the first time, you must help them bear the consequences; you need to maintain personal connections too.” Chen Ji saw Chen Xi nodding, sighed, and said.

”Equal treatment sounds good, but it will damage your prestige. You are human and can’t reach the level of a deity; you understand many things, but you attempt to achieve those unattainable things. You know the best way to maintain relationships is through affection, interest, and ideals, but don’t do these things yourself, let others do it.” Chen Ji warned Chen Xi further.

”In your current position, your every move, if done personally, may cause many to think and consider deeply, even your words or a look need them to think carefully. As you put it, it’s overthinking, but it can’t be avoided.” Chen Ji spoke very earnestly to Chen Xi.

”If one day those behind you make mistakes, or your supporters are attacked due to some issues, or the ones you command frequently are hit, remember, do not inquire about anything, safeguard the people first, then deal with it, or at the very least let a third party handle it!” Chen Ji spoke very seriously to Chen Xi.

”Are you afraid I’ll lose the support of others?” Chen Xi sighed deeply and asked.

”Your capabilities are strong, but you don’t understand how to win over people’s hearts. You pull people to your team through interest, ideals, and affection, and with your capabilities, you lead them forward, ensuring that those who follow you can gain greater benefits, thus your prestige grows. But in adversity, real affection is shown, without it, nothing can be guaranteed.” Chen Ji nodded silently and spoke.

”The biggest flaw in my current method of equal treatment is that if they make a mistake, I don’t care, they would likely still follow me, but ultimately they harbor a grudge.” Chen Xi spoke calmly.

”Therefore, you understand everything, but understanding doesn’t mean you would act accordingly.” Chen Ji didn’t mind Chen Xi voicing what he intended to say.

”Since that’s the case, then remember one thing: if any of those you employ encounter issues, hand them over to Grand Commandant Liu, don’t deal with it yourself.” Chen Ji spoke with a slight sigh.

”Fine then.” Chen Xi was silent for a while and then said, indeed, sociology has been like this for thousands of years; it can’t quite be considered a science.

After Chen Ji instructed Chen Xi, he turned to Chen Qun to delegate some matters, and after Chen Ji left, the people coming to toast Chen Xi were incessant.

Until later, when Chen Xi showed signs of being unable to handle the alcohol, the situation finally reached a pause.

After the feast was complete, escorted by the army, the group left the palace. Chen Xi and Jia Xu walked out, with Chen Xi inevitably telling this matter to Jia Xu.

Jia Xu listened all the way without responding, and only when Chen Xi finished did he slowly speak, ”Zichuan, you actually understand these matters, it’s just you don’t wish to act upon them. It’s better to follow the method your family mentioned; in adversity, real affection is shown, without it, everything is empty.”

Hearing this, Chen Xi let the matter rest and asked no more.

Jia Xu shook his head and said nothing further, knowing that someday Chen Xi will realize how valuable Chen Ji’s method is, as more people inevitably mean the emergence of a few bad apples, even Chen Xi can’t possibly avoid falling for it.

Indeed, Chen Xi understood these matters too, but he knew better that those he employed were very unlikely or nearly impossible to experience the situation Chen Ji described, because he was already at a high level, and those he employed were basically historically proven, and he leveraged their strengths, but the incident with Yuan Shu served as a wake-up call for him.

[I must maintain integrity, balanced and impartial. If I were only working for a family or surname, I might be more lenient, but I need to gradually gather the power of the entire Central Plains behind me, then take that step forward; thus, I myself must not be biased!] Chen Xi sighed heavily in his heart.